Video shows 15-year-old pupil assaulting teacher in school playground; police investigate
Police are investigating after a pupil assaulted a male teacher during break at Ysgol Bae Baglan in Port Talbot; other students were involved and authorities say the matter is being handled under school policies.
Police are investigating after a video circulated online showing a 15-year-old pupil assaulting a male teacher in the playground at Ysgol Bae Baglan in Port Talbot, South Wales. The incident occurred during a break and involved a pupil who had previously been excluded from classes, according to local authorities.
The clip, filmed by a fellow pupil, shows the pupil attempting to scale a fence before clashing with the teacher who wore a yellow high visibility vest. During the attack the pupil knees the teacher in the chest and pushes him against a fence. Other children are seen taking part, including a younger girl who tries to pull the pupil away, a boy in a white shirt who appears to strike the teacher's legs with a stick, and a rucksack snagged in the struggle.
The incident happened at Ysgol Bae Baglan, an all through school for children aged three to 16 that currently has about 1,500 pupils. Neath Port Talbot Council said the matter is being dealt with under the school's policies and procedures and that appropriate support is being offered to those involved. A spokesman for the local police said the Neath Port Talbot Neighbourhood Policing Team attended the school on Tuesday, and a youth engagement officer is due to attend on Thursday.
Estyn, the Welsh school inspectorate, described Ysgol Bae Baglan as a supportive and inclusive learning community in a recent report. The inspectorate noted that most pupils behave well in lessons and around the school and are polite to staff, peers and visitors.
Parents of senior school pupils have been informed of the alleged assault and reassured that the matter is being addressed. One parent told the Daily Mail that the incident was appalling and noted concerns about the age of the teacher involved, who had been trying to stop the pupil from climbing over a fence.
Teaching unions in Wales have warned about violence and bad behaviour in schools, citing other incidents in recent months. Earlier this year a 14-year-old girl was found guilty of attempting to murder two teachers and a pupil in a knife attack at Ysgol Dyffryn Aman in Ammanford, Carmarthenshire, and was sentenced to 15 years in prison.
Investigators said the case is ongoing and that the school is providing support through its policies and procedures as the broader community processes the incident.